Tenants from the clean industrial, cultural, entertainment and F&B sectors are emerging as a new source of leasing demand for industrial buildings in Hong Kong.

However, as the majority of industrial buildings in Hong Kong were constructed before the 1990s, the bulk of industrial space is outdated in design and unsuited to the requirements of these new users.

CBRE Research believes that purpose-built industrial/retail hybrid buildings that provide occupiers with the right specifications in a safe, legal and commercially viable environment, will become keenly sought after in the coming years.

Buildings designed with greater flexibility and the ability to swap between industrial and general commercial use will benefit both landlords and occupiers.